In a digital download world, what is it that a record company brings to the party? I have always thought that record companies, like book publishers and newspa

In a digital download world, what is it that a record company brings to the party? I have always thought that record companies, like book publishers and newspapers, were likely to become extinct because direct delivery is a better way of distribution. To what extent is all the posturing really about trying to extend the lifetime of a cash cow?